Nurses Voice Frustration Over Hospital's Troubles

Published May 18th, 2012

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It may not be on life support yet, but one North Central Florida hospital's troubles have just about reached emergency status.

Management at Tri-County Hospital in Williston has tried to make it work, but there's new evidence that it's not working.Licensed Practical Nurse Toni Carver, says she's done working for free. "Every payday I've called and asked if I've had a paycheck and he said no, I do not have one for you, I can't pay you," she said. Carver quit her job at Tri-County Hospital last month.She had been there for ten years, but says recently, the hospital has been going down hill. Carver says the hospital owes $3,900 in back pay.

Cynthia Murphy, an RN at Tri-County, says she'll still waiting to be paid over six thousand dollars for hours worked.

"I felt like I was working in a MASH unit at times, in the Sudan, because we had so little supplies," she said.The hospital's CEO Jerry Gillman declined an on-camera interview, but he did speak to TV20 off camera and he admits to owing some people money.Gillman says his debt in back pay to current and future employees $160,000.Money he says he'll pay back as soon as finances improve.Thats what he told TV20 seven months ago."It'll be soon as we can, it's a top priority but I just can't give you a date. It's all contingent on cash flow," he said in October 2011.This year Gillman told us he had to cut benefits, including medical insurance for his 80 employees.All these problems are giving the hospital a bad name among neighbors."Everybody's not happy there, you're not happy with your job, I don't think you really want to do your job right," said Diane Gregoli, a Williston resident.Carver is calling on the state to investigate what's going on inside the hospital."As far as the quality of care there, and I would like to have a complete investigation on the money for it's employees- it's not just me, everyone of us, from the CNA, to the MA, to the housekeeper," she said.